prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. again, there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest members. only 2%. the size of the problem in some sense is so large it can't be solved without rates going up. again, there is broad recognition of that reality now. >> one fallback option, republicans are reportedly considering to accept tax cuts for the middle class, allow rates to go up to the wealthiest and then start the fight all over again during debt limit talks early next year. yesterday at a business roundtable of ceos, president obama took a hard line warning opponents not to consider the strategy. >> if congress in any way suggests that they're going to tie negotiations to debt ceiling votes and take us to the brink of default once again as part of a budget negotiation which by the way we have never done in our history until we did it last year, i will not play that game. >> senator tom coburn yesterday on "morning joe" became the latest to br